The Lemon Tree House

So we've been house hunting. It's not easy these days around here. Most houses are short sales (meaning they are trying to sell them for less than they owe the bank, their value has depreciated). Short sales take forever for approval and often you don't get them. Then there's the bank owned properties that are run down and neglected and finally there's a few standard sales that generally seem over priced and sell fast.

It's been hard to find what we need, in our price range, not too far from Mike's work, safe clean neighborhood, enough space from local family, etc. The boys have had their own ideas about what our new house should be. Luke especially. He wants a pool really bad. (So do I) He LOVES the water. Every time we went to look at a house, he wasn't interested if it didn't have a pool. He knows what he likes and is very clear about it.

Our realtor called me about a bank owned property that he thought we might like. When I left to see it, I asked Luke if he wanted to come or stay home with Grandpa. He asked if there was a pool, and since there wasn't said, "No! and don't buy it mom!"

I liked the house and knew Mike would LOVE it. He's all about the yard and space and that's just what this house has. Anyway, I later took Mike and the boys back to see it. Luke wasn't very excited (no pool), but he went.

And then Luke saw this:

Just outside the fenced yard area (but still on the property) was this lovely lemon tree. I hadn't thought much of it when I was there earlier, but Luke immediately found it and was was so excited.

You see, Luke loves lemonade. He loves to make lemonade. And he loves to sell lemonade. So Luke LOVES this house.

I learned a good lesson from Luke that afternoon. It's not always about what you want. It's more about what there is and what you can make out of it.

So we made an offer on the house, the bank countered and we accepted. Hopefully if all goes well, we should close the end of this month. And I think after we are moved in we will need to have a house warming party with lemonade and guacamole from the lemons and avocados on our trees. Luke can make the lemonade, I'll make the guack. I love guacamole.